Social Program

The scientific programme was demanding. The social programme gave delegates a reason to stay in the same room after the last session and to meet people outside their own specialty.

The meeting opened with drinks and appetisers at the venue on the Sunday evening. The reception was included in the registration fee and was open to all conference participants. It was the first chance to collect a badge, find colleagues and look at the week ahead.

The venue was the Beatrix Building at Jaarbeurs Utrecht, a short walk from Utrecht Central Station. Delegates arriving by train could reach the reception without arranging separate transport.

The Student and New Researchers Network ran a five a side football match on the Monday evening. Teams of five played at Grebbeberglaan 4, roughly fifteen minutes on foot from the venue. The match ran from 19:00 to 21:30, with unlimited substitutes and shirts for the players.

Participation was first come, first served, and the teams were open to all genders. The match was designed as a low pressure way to meet other early career delegates.

The conference dinner took place at the Dutch Railway Museum, Het Spoorwegmuseum, on the Tuesday evening. The museum occupies the former Maliebaan station and preserves the history of the Dutch national railway. It opened in 1927 and moved permanently to the Maliebaan station in 1954.

The museum is about two kilometres from the conference centre, a pleasant walk or cycle through the historic centre of Utrecht. For delegates who preferred public transport, a special ISEE train ran from Utrecht Central Station to the museum. A round trip ticket could be bought during online registration.